Be martial, sir, as when you stand in the ranks of
the Cadets on training-days! Steady, and stand the charge! So he did.
He kept an inflexible front as she glided toward him, softly, slowly,
with her bright eyes smiling into his, and doing dreadful execution.
Then she put her white arms around his neck, laid her dear, fair head
on his breast, and peered up archly into his stern visage. Spite of
himself, he could not keep the fixed lines on his face from breaking
confusedly into a faint smile. Somehow or other, his hands came from
behind him, and rested on her head. There! That's all. Dr. Renton
surrendered at discretion! One of the solid men of Boston was taken
after a desperate struggle,--internal, of course,--for he kissed her,
and said, "Dear little Netty!" and so she was.
The phantom watched her with a smile, and wavered and brightened as
if about to glide to her; but it grew still, and remained.
"Pa in the sulks to-night?" she asked, in the most winning, playful,
silvery voice.
"Pa's a fool," he answered in his deep chest-tones, with a vexed
good-humor; "and you know it.
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